Electric switch.



3 SH-EBTS-SHBET l.

PATENTBD MAY 24, 1904.

FIGA.

Ennis/ILL.4 ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1902.

WITNESSES:

No. 760,603. PATENTED MAY 24, 1904..

' H. P. BALL.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION HLEiJ JULY 5, 1902.

No MODEL. s sHnETs-snnm 2.

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4' I INVENTOR 5,wlnnssl-:s: (2 v Z4 ABQ/aff.

ATTORNEY No. 700,003. l PATENTED MAY 24, 1904.

H. P. BALL.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLIoA'TIoN rILED JULY s, 1902.

N0 MODEL. l 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1N: Nonfus mens co worm nuo. WASHINGTON, D c.

y, UNITED STATES Patented May 24, 1904.Y i

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY PRICE BALL, OE NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL 4 VINOANDESOENT ARO LIGHT RATION.

COMPANY, E vNEW YORK, A ooEPof ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,603, dated May 24, 1904.

Application filed July 5, 1902. Serial No. 114,515. (No model.)V

T0 LZ/ whom, t may concern: f

Be it known that I, HENRY PRICE BALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specication.

Myinvention relates to electric switches of the type adapted to be used with large-quantity currents.

My invention consists in the various fea-V tures of construction of the switch mechanism,l the mechanism for controlling the switch from` a distance, and the mechanism for shifting the fore the opening or closing of the switch;

, The object of `my invention is tolsirnplify the construction of switches of the l'class described. The accompanying drawings will serve to illustrate my invention, in which similar numerals and letters indicate like parts.v Figure 1 is a side elevation of a switch mounted upon a switchboard, also showing in` diagram the circuit connections. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a portion of a switchboard and the movable arm which carries the bridging devices or contacts. Fig. 3 is avsection and partial elevation taken on the line X X of Fig. 1 looking from the right. Fig.4 is an enlarged elevation of the cam and switch levers looking from the left. Fig. 5 is aside elevation of the cam and switch levers looking from the right. Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing a modification of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. Fig. 7 is arear elevation and partial section of the construction shown in Fig. 6 looking from the right. This View, however, differs from that shownl in Fig. 6 in that the parts are shown in this iigure with the switch in the closed position, whereas in Eig. 6 they are shown in the open position. f I Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 10 represents a switchboard. Projecting from the front of the switchboard isa bracket 11, to which is pivoted an arm 12. This arm carries the bridging devices or contacts 13 14 15. Four sets are shown inthe drawings. This 4posed spring-plates.

extensions 29 29,

`number may be increased or decreased, as desired. Provision 1s ',madepfor separating theT contacts by means of the buttons 16 17, carf ried, respectively, by the spring-arms`13-l-14. *Y Mounted on the'V front of the switchboardl are ,the contact-blocks 18 19 19a. The contacts 13 ,and 18 I prefer to form of carbon, 1 4, 19,

vand 19u of metal, and 15`as a series of super Oonnectedto t'heinner` side of the spring-plates is an arm 2Q, A4to :which is pivoted the connecting-rod 21.

The parts as described :form the switch, `which is in circuit, through the conductors A B, with the dynamo D land external circuitE, circuit connections of the switch slightly be-l I will now describe the mechanism.,forL ac- `tuating the switch to open andl closeA it,

Situated at a distance'froni 'the switch isa cuit through the magnets of the switch-actu;v ating mechanism. Projecting from the rear..

Mounted in the upper part of ,of the switchboard is a bracket 23,`and pending from'this bracket are a pair of solen- :oids`24 24a.

, is :the bracket is a transverse shaft 25, and secured to this shaft is av band-wheel 26.` Lo

pair of magnet-cores` 28 28X.

cated-over the band-wheel isa band 27, and secured to the lower ends of this band are ya The magnet-pr core 28`at the left is shown as longer than y f.

,thecore 28'VL at the right, the purpose ofA 4which will be hereinafter described.1 1Thecores 28. 28 are adapted to reciprocate verti-V cally in the solenoids 24 24and their tubular Mounted upon the shaft' and secured thereto isa crank 30, pivt yally connected at 31 to a plate 82, depending from the connecting-rod 21'. y served that the rod 21 is carried inward and downward from its point of attachment 2O to A It will be ob- `the bridge-piece 15 and then upward and,

backward over the shaft25, theobject of lwhich arrangement when considered in connection with the crank is to provide means for locking the switch in the closed positionz'. e., in the position shown in Fig. 1.

Y It will. be readily understood that ,so Along as the crank 30 has its axis parallel with that of the connecting-rod 21 this rod cannot move forward or backward; but when the crank 30 is rotated to the left the connecting-rod, inuenced b y the spring bridge-piece 15, will move outward.

My object in making the cores 28 28" of different length is for the purpose of differentiating the force exerted by the respective cores in opening and closing the switch. lhe core 28 is made the longest and projects well within the solenoid 24. Consequently a short downward movement will be imparted 'to the core 28. All the movement required of this core is that which is necessary to rotate the crank 30 off of its dead-center. The core 28 is made the shortest and in the open position of the switch occupies the position relative to the solenoid 24, where it will be subject to the greatest attraction or influence, which influence will be exerted with a force sufficient to overcome the resiliency of the spring-contacts 13 14 15, and finally bringy the crank 30 into the position shown in Fig. 1, where the switch is closed and locked.

I will now describe the mechanism for changing the circuit connections through the solenoids 24 24.

Mounted upon an arm 33, Fig. 3, projecting upward from the bracket 23, is a plate 34, of insulating material, on the opposite ends of the front of which are situated the spring-contacts 35 35 Pivoted to the bracket 23 are the arms 36 36, carrying' at their Lipper ends contact-plates 37 37 Projectingr rearwardly from these arms are the pins 38 38. Mounted upon the shaft 25 and secured thereto immediately back of the arms 36 36 is the camwheel 39. r1`his cam-wheel has formed upon its front surface a cam-slot 40, having' the general configuration shown in Fig. 4. rlhe lefthand end of this cam-slot is adapted to be closed by a spring 41, secured to the periphery of the cam by thescrews 42, and the righthand end of the cam-slot by a lever 43, pivoted at 44. r1`he upper end 45 of this lever has its outer surface shaped to conform to the periphery of the cam and its lower end 46 turned inward. The lever43 is normally7 held in the position shown in Fig. 4 by means of the spring 47. Situated between the arms 36 36 is a helical spring 48, Fig. 1. The function of the cam is to shift the position of the arms 36 36 to change the circuit connections through the solenoids 24 24. Referring first to Fig'. 1, it will be observed that the pin 38 on the arm 36 is in the cam-slot 40, and the pin 38 on the arm 36" rests upon the periphery of the cam. i When the cam is rotated to the left-z'. c., counter-elockwisethe camslot 40 moves over the pin 38 and the pin 38 drops into the cavity 40 of the cam-slot 40 and under the upper end 45 of the lever 43. As the rotation of the cam continues to the left the pin 38 bears against the under part of the spring 41 on the left-hand side of the periphery of the cam 39, lifting the spring and riding onto the periphery of the cam. At the same time the pin 38 depresses the lower end 46 of the lever 43 and rides out from under thclever 43 into the cavity 40" of the cam-slot 40. When the parts have reached the position described, the rotation of the cam to the left ceases. lVllen the cam is rotated to the rightMI/. c., clockwise the pin 38 rides over/the periphery of the cam 39 and spring 41, which at this time closes the left-hand end of the cam-slot 40 until the pin 38 drops into the cavity 40"of the cam-slot 40. At the same time the pin 38 rides over the outer surface of the lower end 46 of the lever 43 and over the external surface of the upper end 45 of the lever 43 until the parts are again in the position shown in Fig. 1. 1t will be understood that, infiuenced by the movement of the cam 39, the arms 36 36in moving' to the left will be carried from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position in advance of that shown in Fig. 4 and that in the reverse movement of the cam to the right the arm 36 is first moved from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 6 and that subsequently the arm 36 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 4 tothe position shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the device shown in Figs. 6 and 7, which illustrates a modification in construction, but does not difl'er in principle from that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a construction adapted to be employed in connection with a transformer, where the transformer is located in a closed casing and where means must be provided for actuating the switch mechanism from within such casing.

Referring to Fig. 6, the switchboard 10 is shown as provided with a packing-gland 50, which surrounds the connecting-rod 21. lhe connecting-rod 21 in this figure is formed as a cylindrical shaft and connected to the arm 2() through a link 51. Therod 21is provided with ya rack 52 upon the upper surface and has a longitudinal movement through the gland 50, and assuming all parts on the back of the switchboard to be in a casing it will be observed that any excess temperatureexisting back of the switchboard and within the casing will not bc transmitted to the switch mechanism on the front of the switchboard. The switch mechanism on the front of the switchboard conforms to that shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that the bracket 11 is provided with a striking or bufiing plate 53, situated under the arm 12, which carries the bridging devices.

In Fig. 6 the position of the solenoids 24 24 and cores 28 28 is reversed from that shown in Fig. 1. This change is made to provide the requisite motion to effect the longitudinal movement of the rod 21. Movement of the cores 28 28 is transmitted to the TOO IOS

IIO

.tacts 35.

rod 2l through theinstrumentality of a pinion 54, secured on the shaft 25. This pinion engages with the rack 52 on the rod 21u. As

the rod 2ll1 is not provided with any means.

for locking it in a closed position, as is the case with the rod of Fig. 1, I provide a separate lock, which consists of the hook 55, pivoted to the frame at-56 and carrying in its outer end the projecting-pin 57. The hook 55 is adapted to engage witha stud 58 on the pinion 54. In order torotate the pinion in both directionsand also provide means for releasing the hook 55, the bandwheel 26 is provided with an extension 59, having a shaped surface, and also with a pin 60, which moves in a slot 6l in the pinion 54. The operation of these parts will be readily understood. When the band-wheel 26 is rotated to the left to close the switch, the pin 60 engages with the pinion and moves it to the left until the stud 58 takes under the hook 55, the parts being retained in this position by the tension of the bridging devices. When the band-wheel is moved to the right, the pin 60 moves in the slot 61 for a certain distance and the projection 59 takes under the pin 57 on the latch 55, raising the latch, releasing the pinion 54, and permitting the switch to open under the resilient action of the bridging devices.

It will be understood that the constructions as illustrated in Figs. l to 5, -as also 6 and 7, provide means for releasing the switch mechanism after a very slight movement of the locking parts. In Fig. l the crank is given a very short movement and in Fig. 6 the projection 59 on the band-wheel but a very short movement, the switch in each instance opening itself after such movement by the resiliency of the bridging devices, whereas a greater movement in both devices is required to effect the closing of the switch.

Manifestly in Fig. 6 the position of the cam, which serves to alter the circuit connections to the solenoids 24 24, will be reversed from that shown in Fig. 4.

`The general operation of the switch-actuating mechanism is as follows: When the switch-blade G engages with the contact H of the switch F, the circuit is made from dynamo I) through conductor 22, switch-blade G, contact H, conductor 22h, solenoid 24, conductor 22c to one contact-plate 35, across contactplate 37 to opposite contact-plate 35a, conductor 22d, conductor 22e, conductor 22, back to dynamo, the effect of which is to cause the solenoid 24 to attract its core 28 and first move the arm 36 to the left to bridge the contacts 35 through the contact-plate 37 and subsequently, as described, move the arm 36L to separate the contact-plate37 from the con- VVhen the switch-blade Gr is brought in Contact with the contact H', the circuit will be from dynamo D through conductor 22, switch-blade G, contact H', conductor 22f,

solenoid 24, conductor 22frz to one contact 35, thence through contactplate 37 to opposite contactf35, assuming the arm 36 of Fig. 1 to havemoved, by conductor 22h, conductor 22e, conductor 22, back to dynamo.

, In the foregoing specification I have described one form of switch mechanism and vtwo forms of' actuating mechanism for the switch mechanism. I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the speciiic form of the switch mechanism employed or to the specific forms of actuating mechanism, as

lmany changes may be made in both without departing from the intent of my invention.

Having thus 4described my invention, I claiml. An electric switch comprising fixed contacts, movable bridging devicesa pair of solenoidal magnets, a pair of cores therefor, a band-wheel, a band connecting said cores, a connecting-rod interposed between said bandwheel and said bridging devices, and means for alternately energizing' the said magnets.

2. In an electric switch, the combination with the switch member, of means for moving said member, said means consisting of a pair of solenoidalmagnets, a pair of cores for said magnets differing in length, a band-wheel, a band connecting said cores, and a device actuated by the movement of said cores and acting upon the switch member to open or close the switch.

3. In an electric switch, and .in combination with the electrically-actuated mechanism for operating the switch, of means for changing the circuit connections through the electrically-actuated mechanism, said means consisting of a rotatable cam, a pair of arms adapted to have their position changed by the rotation of the cam, bridging devices carried by said arms, and contacts with which said bridging devices coact, in circuit with the opposite sides of the electrically-actuated mechanism for the switch.

4. In an electric switch and in combination with the switch member, of electrically-actuated mechanism for moving said switch member, and exerting a different degree of force in opening and closing said switch member, said mechanism consisting of' a pair of solenoidal magnets, a pair of cores for said magnets of different length and occupying a different position as regards the respective solenoids in which they are placed, a bandwheel, a band connected to said cores, and a device introduced between said band-wheel and switch member, whereby a short, quick pull of one core will open the switch member and a long-continued pull on the other will close the switch member.

5. In an electric switch, the combination with the switch member, of electrically-actuated mechanism for said switch member, said mechanism consisting of a pair of solenoidal magnets, a pair of cores therefor, a band- IOO IIO

wheel, a band connecting said cores, a shaft on which said band-wheel is mounted, a crank connected to said shaft, and a connecting-rod introduced between the crank and the switch member.

6. In an electric switch, the combination with the switch member, of electrically-actuated mechanism for moving said switch-member, and mechanism for changing the circuit connections through the electrically-actuated mechanism, said mechanism consisting of a cam provided with a cam-slot and a pivoted lever, a pair of arms provided with projecting pins adapted to coact with said cam and lever, contact-plates on the end of said arms, contacts with which said plates coact, and the interposed circuit connections.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with the switch member, of an electrically-ac tuated member for moving said switch member, and mechanism for changing the circuit connections through the electrically-actuated member, such mechanism consisting' of a pair of pivoted arms carrying' contact-plates adapted to coact with oppositely-disposed pairs of contact-plates, and a cam provided with a camslot and lever adapted to coact with pins on the pivoted arms, whereby when the cam is rotated in either direction, an arm will be moved to establish a path between one pair of contacts before the opposite arm breaks contact with the other pair of contacts.

In testimony whereof Iaiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY PRICE BALL. Witnesses:

J. E. PEARsoN, FRANK OCoNNoR. 

